I am the new owner of a 1980 Pearson 32. It is equipped with a folding prop.
I have not been able to make any progress understanding what it is doing when I try to motor in reverse, such as backing into my slip.

I understand prop walk, and have backed larger boats (chartered) into slips without too much trouble.

I expect the stern to carve out a path to port as I am backing. But this is not what happens -- there is no motion for a few seconds (while prop is unfolding, I guess), then the boat starts to move sideways (to port). Not a turn to port, but it starts crabbing sideways. The boat is unmanageable.

I think Faster has got the key. You need to get a little headway first in reverse with the rudder centered. I find with my boat that if I turn the rudder and then put it in reverse, I will go the complete opposite direction that I intend to go.

Going to a folder is a bit of an education. Although I can achieve reverse with my two-blade Gori, I don't generally use it, preferring to "coast in" and simply cleat off a spring.

But I would suggest the following: Find a buoy that's not being used (a race mark on a non-race day is good) and power directly into the wind, switch to neutral, and then give it a good burst of reverse. Note how quickly (or not) you stop and actually start backing down. Then repeat, but with the wind directly on your stern. Use the buoy and a watch to figure out what's working.

Finally, have the wind directly on the beam and try to "dock" (come alongside with little velocity) with the mark. "Dock" either side to see if you still have prop walk and what steering/vectoring compensations you have to make in order to have the folder in reverse make a positive contribution.

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Telstar 28
New England

You know what the first rule of sailing is? ...Love. You can learn all the math in the 'verse, but you take
a boat to the sea you don't love, she'll shake you off just as sure as the turning of the worlds. Love keeps
her going when she oughta fall down, tells you she's hurting 'fore she keens. Makes her a home.

—Cpt. Mal Reynolds, Serenity (edited)

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